Black SeaLONDON Feb 16London-based marine insurance agency LMA on Tuesday added Ukrainian and Russian waters in the Black and Azov Seas to the list of high-risk areas, the media reported, citing a company circular. «It would be negligent if we did not warn the market now and give it an opportunity to respond,» Neil Roberts, head of the LMA's marine and aviation division, who represents the interests of all underwriting companies, told Reuters. «as they evolve» because LMA regulations affect underwriters' premium decisions. Kiev and Western states have recently expressed concern over allegedly increased «aggressive actions» by Russia near Ukraine's borders. Moscow has repeatedly denied such accusations, saying that it does not threaten anyone and is not going to attack anyone, and statements about «Russian aggression» are used as an excuse to deploy more NATO military equipment near Russian borders. The Russian Foreign Ministry previously noted that statements The West about «Russian aggression» and the possibility of helping Kiev defend itself against it is both ridiculous and dangerous. Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov said that Russia is moving troops within its territory and at its own discretion. According to him, this does not threaten anyone and should not worry anyone. Statements that Russia is allegedly preparing provocations in Ukraine continue to come from the West, despite the return of Russian troops to their places of deployment after the exercises. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday reported that «some of the exercises are coming to an end, some will be completed in the near future.» The southern and western military districts of the Russian Federation have begun returning troops to their places of deployment, Major General Igor Konashenkov, spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry, told reporters on Tuesday. questioned the veracity of reports of an «invasion» of Ukraine
